Disha, a partner organisation of PACS (Poorest Area Civil Society programme), has started a movement with the help of a local people’s organization, Jibika–O– Paribesh Surakhya Manch, to claim community right over forest of tribals in Sundergarh. Sources said in last three months, 30 staff, 52 cadres of people’s organization and villagers of 52 villages are engaged relentlessly to claim and exert control over the resources within traditional customary boundary.
“We are at the final stage of Community Forest Right (CFR) claim process before submitting to the Government for 50 villages adopting all process as per constitutional framework but keeping our rights based approach undiluted,” claimed Disha director AK Azad. Our campaign has sensitised, organised and empowered the indigenous tribal community on their rights over their natural resources preserved by their ancestors and have to be preserved for their descendents for years protecting them from alienation, migration, trafficking, hunger and destitution, added Azad. On future advocacy plan, Azad said after submission, the people’s organization will meet their legislators to put pressure on bureaucracy and expedite the process and avoid harassment meted out to tribal community, he disclosed.